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Also known as- Foeniculum vulgare, Anethum Foeniculum, Bari-Sanuf, Bitter Fennel, Carosella, Common Fennel, Fennel Oil, Fennel Seed, Finnochio, Florence Fennel, Foeniculi Antheroleum, Foeniculum Officinale, Foeniculum Capillaceum, Garden Fennel, Large Fennel, Sanuf, Shatapuspha, Sweet Fennel, Wild Fennel.
Introduction
Fennel's name comes from the Latin foeniculum, meaning "little hay". The Roman historian Pliny recorded that when snakes shed their skins, they ate fennel to restore their sight (although he did not record how he made this observation). Pliny's observation led to European use of a cooled tea of fennel seeds as a wash for eyestrain and eye irritations. Chinese and Hindus employed fennel seed as a treatment for snakebite. Medieval Europeans used fennel seed as a treatment for obesity. Several liquors are flavored with fennel, including aquavit, gin, and fennouillete.
All the above-ground parts of the fennel plant are edible. Fennel "seeds" are actually whole fruits, the most aromatic seeds found in the center of the seed head. In seed, a bright green color indicates quality. The herb should be stored in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place.
Fennel and Cooking
Fennel nicely complements almost any kind of fish preparation. Dry stalks of fennel placed under fish or shrimp being grilled or barbecued gives them a wonderful flavor. Fennel features in several Italian recipes such as tomato sauces and sausages. It is a key ingredient in several spice and herb blends such as Indian curry powders, Chinese Five Spices and the French Herbes de Province. The seeds give a distinctive flavor to baked goodies like bread, cakes and cookies. In some countries, fennel seeds are served with sugar as an after-meal mouth freshener.
Health Benefits of Fennel
Fennel's medicinal properties were discovered long before its use as a herb. The Roman naturalist Pliny extolled its virtues as an eye-strengthener. A few sprigs of fennel can be added to tea as a remedy for indigestion. It is also known that funnel can boost the production of milk in a nursing mother. Fennel is also a good source of Vitamin C. Also, the substance that gives fennel its anise-like taste - anethole - has been scientifically proven to fight against cancer and inflammation.
Constituents
The essential oil contains anethole (50 to 80%), limonene (5%), fenchone (5%), estragole (methyl-chavicol), safrole, a-pinene (0.5%), camphene, b-pinene, b-myrcene and p-cymene. The seed also contains fiber and complex carbohydrates.
Parts Used
The fruit or "seeds," dried and used whole or ground.
Typical Preparations
Used in cooking whole or ground as an excellent spice, also used to make herbal teas and in laxative preparations. Combined with chamomile and/or melissa in teas for colic. Combined with licorice, thyme, and/or poplar buds to treat colds, coughs, and congestion. Combined with chamomile, saffron, anise, fennel, caraway, licorice, and cardamom to treat asthma. For convenience, or if you do not like the flavor, it may be taken as an extract or capsule.
Summary
Fennel seed is antiseptic and secretolytic, that is, encouraging secretion of saliva and gastric juices. It also stops stomach cramps, often added to laxatives to ensure gentle action. Fennel seed teas break up congestion caused by colds and allergies. There are preliminary studies that suggest that regular consumption of fennel (as well as regular consumption of green beans, mushrooms, oranges, prunes, and celeriac) might slow the progression of osteoporosis.
Fennel seed powder has almost exactly the same taste and medicinal effect as whole fennel seed, except it tends to lose anethole. Powdering makes fennel a less estrogenic herb, that is, less likely to stimulate the production of estrogen in women, a characteristic that may be desirable or undesirable depending on the user.
Precautions
Fennel seed teas are helpful for colicky infants, but fennel seed oil should never be given to infants or young children because of the danger of spasms of the throat.
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